Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate and compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction efficacy and safety between latanoprost (Lat) and tafluprost (Taf) in Japanese normal tension glaucoma patients, prospectively.
Methods: :
We enrolled 25 Japanese normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients who had used Lat monotherapy for more than 4 weeks, and divided into the two groups randomly; Lat to Taf group (LT group) and Taf to Lat group (TL group). At the beginning, both groups were switched from initial Lat to Lat or Taf for 12 weeks, and then switched over each drug (crossover) and used for 12 more weeks. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. We evaluated IOP at 0, 4, 12, 16, and 24 weeks from the first switching, respectively. We also evaluated the conjunctival injection score (0-3 grade), corneal epitheliopathy score (area density classification; AD score), and the changes of eyelashes and pigmentation of eyelids or irises at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively.
Results: :
The mean IOP of TL group (13 eyes) were 11.1, 10.8, and 10.4 mmHg, while that of LT group (12 eyes) were 10.4, 10.8, and 11.1 mmHg at 0, 12 and 24 weeks respectively. There were no significant differences between two groups and intra-group comparisons. The conjunctival injection score were 1.0±0.4 at baseline, 1.0±0.5 (Taf group) and 0.9±0.5 (Lat group) at 12 weeks. The corneal AD score (total score of area and density grade) were 0.9±1.2 at baseline, 0.8±1.1 (Taf) and 0.6±1.1 (Lat) at 12 weeks. There were no significant differences between the two drugs. The changes of eye lashes, pigmentation of eyelids and irises showed similar expressions in both groups.
Conclusions: :
Tafluprost and latanoprost are considered to have the equivalent efficacy and safety in the Japanese normal tension glaucoma patients.
Clinical Trial: :
Umin-CTR, UMIN000002017
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials